What's the tie between talc and cancer?

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Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay another settlement to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer

Both plaintiffs used the company's talcum body powder for decades

There are specific methods of using talc that are associated with certain risks

(HLNtv.com)Johnson & Johnson has suffered its second costly court defeat in less than three months over claims its talcum powder caused cancer. And many more cases are looming.

A jury in St. Louis awarded $55 million in damages to Gloria Ristesund, who used Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder for more than 35 years before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011.

The case is alarming primarily for one simple fact: Talc, the substance that the victim's families argued caused their cancer, is found in several common household products. It's an additive in some cosmetics and body powders, including products marketed specifically for use on babies.

Johnson & Johnson issued a statement, saying their products were safe for use.

"Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labeling on Johnson's Baby Powder is appropriate," Carol Goodrich, a spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson Consumer, said.

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The verdicts have sparked new-found concern over the safety of talc-containing products in the home.

Is talc safe to use?

Healthorganizations are soft on whether talc poses a definite danger to consumers, but there are specific methods of using talc that are associated with certain risks. The CDC does not list any physical or chemical dangers for talc, but does note to avoid inhalation.

Can talc cause cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, talc is not a known carcinogen. However, the ACS does acknowledge that it "has been suggested" that talc, say, in body powder or baby powder, could cause ovarian cancer if the powder comes in direct contact with the genital area.

"For any individual woman, if there is an increased risk, the overall increase is likely to be very small," the ACS Talc Fact Sheet says. "Still, talc is widely used in many products, so it is important to determine if the increased risk is real. Research in this area still continues."

Talc, a naturally occurring mineral, can also sometimes contain trace amount of asbestos. The ACS makes it clear asbestos-contaminated talc is not a concern for cosmetic- and household- grade products, but rather affects talc miners and other people whose professions bring them in contact with natural talc fibers.

What products contain talc?

Talc is often used for its ability to soak up moisture and provide matte and opaque finishes, which makes it a common ingredient in several cosmetic products such as blush, face powder, eye shadow and the aforementioned body powders. The Food and Drug Administration has a full list of specific cosmetic items that contain talc.

Food-grade talc can also safely be used as an anti-caking agent. The FDA says talc in this form is "generally recognized as safe when used ... in accordance with good manufacturing practice."

It is important to note that, unlike food products, cosmetics and body products do not need to undergo an FDA review, but do need to be "properly labeled" and "safe under labeled or customary conditions of use."